Let's raise our glasses to the 50th anniversary of the CLA Game Fair with a royal ale brewed in Oxfordshire. Yes, in just a week's time the grounds of Blenheim Palace will be be buzzing with activity as the 50th Game Fair gets under way. This popular show was last held at Blenheim four years ago and attracted record crowds. Organisers are convinced that this year's show, which runs from next Friday to Sunday, July 27, will attract even more visitors, particularly families.

This year, Wychwood Brewery, in Witney, will be stocking a Game Fair stall with the many beers they brew, including Wychwood Hobgoblin, Wychwood Green Goblin, Brakspear Bitter, Brakspear Triple and Duchy Originals. Duchy Originals Organic English Ale is one of more than 130 different products made from ingredients that come mainly from Prince Charles's Home Farm, at Highgrove, in Gloucestershire, by some of the country's most famous makers of fine foods. One hundred per cent of all profits from these products go to the Prince of Wales's Charities Foundation.

The Duchy line began in 1992 with an organic oated shortbread biscuit made from organic grains from the prince's farms under licence from the famous shortbread producer, Walkers of Scotland. Now the list includes this fine organic ale brewed to the prince's specifications from Plumage Archer barley and First Gold hops, a dwarf hop variety chosen for its strong citrus character which helps balance the sweetness of the malt.

Plumage Archer Barley had almost been lost to posterity during the 1950s in favour of newer, more high-production strains of barley. A Cambridge seed merchant had kept some samples of the barley, enabling it to be grown again on the Highgrove estate.

It is apt that this beer should be among those available at the game fair as Blenheim Palace stands on the site of a country 'getaway' cottage owned by the Plantagenet kings. It was here that Henry II rendezvoused with his mistress, Rosamund. As a consequence, it became the place where Prince Charles's illustrious predecessor, Edward Prince of Wales, was conceived and born. Known as the Black Prince, he became the first Duke of Cornwall in 1337 and was invested as the Prince of Wales six years later. It was he who adopted the traditional ostrich feather badge and the motto "Ich dien" after the battle of Crecy.

Duchy Originals Organic Ale is a surprisingly subtle yet flavour-packed brew, which is ruby red in colour. Initial nosings suggest a depth of malt character with hints of toasty grains, making it an excellent ale to drink with cheese. It goes very well with rare roast beef, too, and some enjoy matching it with curry and spicey foods, too.

Like most English bitters, Duchy Original is best consumed at what would be cellar temperature of about 45 to 50F and, where possible from a traditional dimpled beer glass. As the beer warms in the glass, a strong citrussy hop character also begins to emerge, because, just as wines develop and grow in the glass, so do quality ales like this.

Last October, Prince Charles, who was crowned Beer Drinker of the Year in 2002 by the All- Parliamentary Beer Group of Great Britain, visited Wychwood Brewery to meet the people who brewed his organic ales. During his visit, he was able to watch a mashing of his own beer and add hops to the copper, as the beer is brewed in the traditional English fashion, in large open-top fermenters.

Speaking about Wychwood's involvement with the game fair, Peter Jackson, the marketing director for Marston's which has recently taken over the brewery, said: "We believe in linking our breweries with the local communities they serve, which is why it's good to be involved with local fairs and festivals. Many of these fairs celebrate local production and are popular with local people. They also also act as a showcase for visitors from further afield."

Peter went on to say that this is important for their Brakspear, Wychwood and Duchy brands, as they are proud to brew them in Witney and are distributing them nationally. They are available in most leading supermarkets.

Brakspear Triple is one of the other beers Wychwood will be promoting at the fair. It is a highly aromatic strong beer, which delivers a rich, vinous complexity with flavours akin to rum and Madeira. Brakspear beers date back to 1779 and were originally brewed in Henley. Wychwood took over brewing the beers in 2002, having enlarged its site to incorporate a new Brakspear brewhouse housing the six magnificent Victorian wooden fermenting vessels originally used in Henley.

Obviously no Wychwood Brewery stand would be complete without their flagship beer, Hobgoblin. This ruby-red coloured beer, which is strong in roasted malt, is brewed from Fuggles and Styrians hops. It's a full-bodied beer with delicious chocolate toffee malt flavours balanced by a rounded moderate bitterness. It has an overall fruity character, too. In other words, it's a great drink, even during the summer months.

You will find Wychwood Brewery in the Regional Food Village of the game fair, which is close to the CLA enclosure in the middle of the site. While you are in this area you will get a chance to meet other regional food producers and watch cookery demonstrations given by celebrity chefs. There will be 'Loverly Bubbly' tastings too.

The gates are open between 6.30am and 7.30pm on Friday and from 7am to 6pm on Saturday and Sunday. All exhibitions, displays and stands will be open at 9.30am.

Tickets for the fair can be booked on-line by going to: www.gamefair.co.uk or by phoning 0844 8480990.